I saw someone on a secret facebook group I am a member pose the question: "Can you be with a guy that doesn't believe in God."

My first question was: "which one?" with a link to a complete list of every known deity throughout history.

A few people said no, and I decided to post this response:

I find it disconcerting that a lot of Christians will not associate themselves with atheists. If someone you've known for a long time admits they no longer believe in God, are you suddenly going to stop talking to them? If so, what kind of friend are you? Surely not a Christ-like friend. And why is it any of your damn business what they believe? It's ironic, and perhaps somewhat telling, that my perception is that most atheists will happily associate and have relationships with religious people, but conversely, most religious people tend to distrust atheists, especially in America. In fact, according to this study linked below, they are the least trusted minority in America.http://atheism.about.com/.../atheistbi.....sHated.htm

I think it is because it unsettles their belief. I am not going to say stop believing in God(s), but what I will say is this: challenge your doctrines and beliefs. "Don't put the Lord, your God to the test" is a miserable cop-out.

Remember that most, if not all, people don't become atheists out of ignorance. Many people do so because they decided to be objective and exercise critical thinking. This includes learning about the Big Bang model; evolution by natural selection; the contradictions, both innate and scientific within many ancient religious texts; and can be spurred upon by atrocities done in the name of religion. (9/11, ISIS, abortion clinics being bombed, etc.)

Not trying to offend anyone here; just offering my reasoning for why I am an atheist, and I hope this doesn't suddenly make me a bad person in your eyes. I still try to be a good person, but I don't do it for "heaven points" or because I fear going to hell.

If you're interested, some good scientific stuff to check out is listed below.